After thinking about it for months and happily postponing it because of supply shortness issues,
a few weeks ago I couldn't resist any longer. Not sure if anyone has experienced something like this ...
Anyway, I think it's time to post a short review and my opinion.
I won't be repeating all the boring specs here, they are available from several websites.
And avoid pictures one can see there, rather focussing on some details.
As most of you know the successful Cobra R9/RX, the Siege 300 is the compound crossbow attempt along the same lines. The Cobra R9/Rx is a cross-over between crossbow and a crossbow pistol, being modular, easy to handle, and a bit more punch than common XB pistols.
As expected, the Siege is quite similar to the recurve R9/RX models.
Following a short list of common features:
- about the same size and shapesome data
- same polymer material and color
- same quick lock pin mechanism for prod and buttstock
- same lever cocking mechanism with sliding trigger box
- same anti-dryfire mechanism (spring-loaded hook in front of trigger box)
- same decocking ability and method (reverse of cocking)
- same arrow dimensions (.245" diameter shafts, nocks and inserts)
- similar or identical components (buttstock, grip, weaver rails)
And there are some differences, some not so obvious:
- the compound prod with adjustable daw weight
- about double the KE of the RX
- heavier (4kg instead of 2,7kg, e.g. 8,8lbs vs. 6lbs)
- visibly longer cocking lever
- trigger box cover & weaver rail is aluminium, not polymer
- needs a bigger case than the RX (not included, about 35€/$ instead of 25€/$)
- prod is held by two quick lock pins (incompatible to R9/RX)
- no "iron" sights
- comes with scope
- tri-fletched arrows, 15,5" long
- comes with a detachable bow quiver for 3 arrows
- comes with a fixed screw-on bipod
First impressions
Big and heavy.
Not really so much, but quite a bit more than expected.
It is much more front heavy than the RX - no wonder, the prod is mostly aluminium.
Product quality is similar to the RX. Some parts are made from aluminium now, which is definitely an improvement.
Like the trigger box and the weaver rail on top. This weaver rail is plastic on the RX, and can be bent down about1/10" by pressing on it with your finger.
This is solid and sturdy aluminium now, and much better equipped for scope.
![Image]()
The buttstock is of better quality, it has an adjustable cheek rest, less rattling, and an integrated broadhead wrench.
It is still interchangeable with the RX buttstock. The attacheable front grip seems identical, but I don't use it anyway.
The cocking lever is longer now, and extends beyond the grip. I suspect this is required by the draw weight.
The lever ratio is about 2 (9" / 18"; length of pivot arm attached to trigger box vs. lever from pivot to center of handle).
Compared to the RX, the cocking lever latch is smaller, and harder to operate.
The RX takes me about 15 seconds to assemble (prod and buttstock).
Not so with the Siege. I need about a minute, partly because the parts still need to wear in a bit.
In contrast to the RX, two prod lock pins are located in the prod, instead the one in the main body.
![Image]()
![Image]()
Another difference is the cocking, which is significantly harder.
The draw cycle seems to be comparable to a speed bow (in the vertical compound world).
It reaches peak DW very quickly, and holds it most of the way through, until last inch of cocking lever movement.
The maximal cocking lever angle about 105° (when the trigger box hooks onto the string), i.e. beyond orthogonal, which seems ergonomically unfavourable.
Second reason is, I think, one usually uses the weak hand to operate the lever, as the strong hand holds the grip and operates the trigger.
Even the 130lbs RX variant is easy to cock, no problem a woman could do it.
But with the Siege, I guess the average woman would have to turn the draw weight down.
I mention women here because a video from EK (Poe Lang) I saw explicitly mentioned them as being part of the target audience.
The crossbow has a quite narrow profile in cocked state, I measured 7" ATA (10,5" uncocked).
What I dislike - because of it's shape (and the absent stirrup) you can't lay it on the ground without it resting on the cams.
![Image]()
The fixed bipod might be ok for shooting from a bench or from the ground, but hardly for anything hunting.
The scope it is shipped with seems ok. It is not a proprietary addon, but actually a rifle scope.
The included instructions for sighting in clearly reference rifles and rifle distances.
It is illuminated with 5 reticles and 11 light level settings, 5 x red, 5 x blue, and off.
I didn't have a chance yet to shoot it beyond 8 yards, but in a 500€/$ package, you can't really expect top quality ...
![Image]()
(Holding both the xbow and the camera straight and quiet at the same time is harder as I thought ...)
The name implies 300fps, and several sources suggest this speed was measured with 270gn arrows.
The package comes with 280gn arrows (see below), and I measured with those.
My results (with 281gn arrows) were 289 fps consistently.
This is, by the way, identical to results I have seen on a Russian YT channel.
I am not sure if the increased weight of the included arrows are a tell-tale.
This 10gn represent about 3,7% weight increase, or a 3,7% increase in gpp-ratio.
Anyway, this gives a KE of about 53ft-lbf, about twice that of the RX.
This is more than I get out of my vertical compounds (@27,5", 55lbs, ca. 45..47ft-lbf).
In contrast to the R9/RX, this is a serious weapon, with enough energy for smaller game, and not a toy to shoot at squirrels.
Still a bit away from the 90..120ft-lbf average of hunting crossbows, but this device was not primarily designed for the American hunting market, I think.
The included arrows of quite mediocre quality. The package states 5gn tolerance (280..285gn).
The included arrows, and an extra pack I had ordered did have this tolerances.
Strangely, the insert diameter is slightly less than the shaft diameter, there is a perceptible difference.
At one arrow, the insert became loose after one shot, and it turned freely.
While I couldn't pull it out with my hands, I repaired it anyway, i.e. removed the insert with heat and reglued it.
But actually, I don't care, I'm going to make the arrows myself.
As with the Cobra R9/RX, all components are standard archery stuff which every decent shop offers.
My first set (12 arrows) are from 6 Bearpaw Penthalon 350 shafts, weighting 292gn with 100gn point.
The draw weight can be turned down to 2 full turns of the limb screw, to 110lbs, i.e. about 5lbs per quarter turn.
The limb bolt assembly is basically the same as with modern vertical compounds.
I didn't try hat yet, my only action in that regard was to mark the reference limb bolt positions.
![Image]()
(Limb screw assembly, top view)
As aside note, I watched a Siege review on a Russian channel some while ago.
I didn't undertand everything, but it seems there are legal issues in Russia.
To my understanding, above a draw weight / KE limit, a licence is required.
Perhaps someone can confirm that ?
Anyway, as a result, the Russian Cobra Siege is shipped with weaker limbs installed, the 150lbs limbs enclosed in package, but extra. And the presenter swapped the limbs in a few minutes on camera, without any bow press.
Meaning, limbs can easily be removed and replaced by turning the limb bolts out.
Strings and cables get slack after about 3 turns and can easily be replaced that way as well.
Which seems a practical feature - the less special tools one needs the better.
As a summary, I'm answering myself three questions.
First, was it what I expected ?
Yes and no. It is bigger and heavier than it appears in in pictures and videos, and I expected the cocking to be easier.
The build quality, performance and looks are fine, though.
Second, what is it good for ?
At least the same as the Cobra R9/RX, backyard plinking and target shooting.
The effective range is now extended to about 50..60 yards, no doubt one can shoot decent groups up to 50 yards.
The KE values would suggest it for hunting, and one can surely kill smaller deer species without trouble.
But one can get significantly lighter crossbows with much more punch. As said, hunting seems not a major target
market for this crossbow.
Would I recommend it ?
If one is fine with it's features and limitations, yes.
And Poe Lang being one of the two large manufacturers for lower and mid-level crossbows for years now,
I don't expect unusual quality issues.
As a final side note, I see this crossbow targeted mainly at the European market, including Eastern Europe and Russia.
I have seen quite a lot Russian YT videos featuring this crossbow, about as much as other languages combined.
Not sure if it is or will be available in North America, both because of supply chain and target market issues.
And not to mention, the slingshot channel guy is already about to design an Adder-like upgrade for this crossbow ...
a few weeks ago I couldn't resist any longer. Not sure if anyone has experienced something like this ...
Anyway, I think it's time to post a short review and my opinion.
I won't be repeating all the boring specs here, they are available from several websites.
And avoid pictures one can see there, rather focussing on some details.
As most of you know the successful Cobra R9/RX, the Siege 300 is the compound crossbow attempt along the same lines. The Cobra R9/Rx is a cross-over between crossbow and a crossbow pistol, being modular, easy to handle, and a bit more punch than common XB pistols.
As expected, the Siege is quite similar to the recurve R9/RX models.
Following a short list of common features:
- about the same size and shapesome data
- same polymer material and color
- same quick lock pin mechanism for prod and buttstock
- same lever cocking mechanism with sliding trigger box
- same anti-dryfire mechanism (spring-loaded hook in front of trigger box)
- same decocking ability and method (reverse of cocking)
- same arrow dimensions (.245" diameter shafts, nocks and inserts)
- similar or identical components (buttstock, grip, weaver rails)
And there are some differences, some not so obvious:
- the compound prod with adjustable daw weight
- about double the KE of the RX
- heavier (4kg instead of 2,7kg, e.g. 8,8lbs vs. 6lbs)
- visibly longer cocking lever
- trigger box cover & weaver rail is aluminium, not polymer
- needs a bigger case than the RX (not included, about 35€/$ instead of 25€/$)
- prod is held by two quick lock pins (incompatible to R9/RX)
- no "iron" sights
- comes with scope
- tri-fletched arrows, 15,5" long
- comes with a detachable bow quiver for 3 arrows
- comes with a fixed screw-on bipod
First impressions
Big and heavy.
Not really so much, but quite a bit more than expected.
It is much more front heavy than the RX - no wonder, the prod is mostly aluminium.
Product quality is similar to the RX. Some parts are made from aluminium now, which is definitely an improvement.
Like the trigger box and the weaver rail on top. This weaver rail is plastic on the RX, and can be bent down about1/10" by pressing on it with your finger.
This is solid and sturdy aluminium now, and much better equipped for scope.
The buttstock is of better quality, it has an adjustable cheek rest, less rattling, and an integrated broadhead wrench.
It is still interchangeable with the RX buttstock. The attacheable front grip seems identical, but I don't use it anyway.
The cocking lever is longer now, and extends beyond the grip. I suspect this is required by the draw weight.
The lever ratio is about 2 (9" / 18"; length of pivot arm attached to trigger box vs. lever from pivot to center of handle).
Compared to the RX, the cocking lever latch is smaller, and harder to operate.
The RX takes me about 15 seconds to assemble (prod and buttstock).
Not so with the Siege. I need about a minute, partly because the parts still need to wear in a bit.
In contrast to the RX, two prod lock pins are located in the prod, instead the one in the main body.
Another difference is the cocking, which is significantly harder.
The draw cycle seems to be comparable to a speed bow (in the vertical compound world).
It reaches peak DW very quickly, and holds it most of the way through, until last inch of cocking lever movement.
The maximal cocking lever angle about 105° (when the trigger box hooks onto the string), i.e. beyond orthogonal, which seems ergonomically unfavourable.
Second reason is, I think, one usually uses the weak hand to operate the lever, as the strong hand holds the grip and operates the trigger.
Even the 130lbs RX variant is easy to cock, no problem a woman could do it.
But with the Siege, I guess the average woman would have to turn the draw weight down.
I mention women here because a video from EK (Poe Lang) I saw explicitly mentioned them as being part of the target audience.
The crossbow has a quite narrow profile in cocked state, I measured 7" ATA (10,5" uncocked).
What I dislike - because of it's shape (and the absent stirrup) you can't lay it on the ground without it resting on the cams.
The fixed bipod might be ok for shooting from a bench or from the ground, but hardly for anything hunting.
The scope it is shipped with seems ok. It is not a proprietary addon, but actually a rifle scope.
The included instructions for sighting in clearly reference rifles and rifle distances.
It is illuminated with 5 reticles and 11 light level settings, 5 x red, 5 x blue, and off.
I didn't have a chance yet to shoot it beyond 8 yards, but in a 500€/$ package, you can't really expect top quality ...
(Holding both the xbow and the camera straight and quiet at the same time is harder as I thought ...)
The name implies 300fps, and several sources suggest this speed was measured with 270gn arrows.
The package comes with 280gn arrows (see below), and I measured with those.
My results (with 281gn arrows) were 289 fps consistently.
This is, by the way, identical to results I have seen on a Russian YT channel.
I am not sure if the increased weight of the included arrows are a tell-tale.
This 10gn represent about 3,7% weight increase, or a 3,7% increase in gpp-ratio.
Anyway, this gives a KE of about 53ft-lbf, about twice that of the RX.
This is more than I get out of my vertical compounds (@27,5", 55lbs, ca. 45..47ft-lbf).
In contrast to the R9/RX, this is a serious weapon, with enough energy for smaller game, and not a toy to shoot at squirrels.
Still a bit away from the 90..120ft-lbf average of hunting crossbows, but this device was not primarily designed for the American hunting market, I think.
The included arrows of quite mediocre quality. The package states 5gn tolerance (280..285gn).
The included arrows, and an extra pack I had ordered did have this tolerances.
Strangely, the insert diameter is slightly less than the shaft diameter, there is a perceptible difference.
At one arrow, the insert became loose after one shot, and it turned freely.
While I couldn't pull it out with my hands, I repaired it anyway, i.e. removed the insert with heat and reglued it.
But actually, I don't care, I'm going to make the arrows myself.
As with the Cobra R9/RX, all components are standard archery stuff which every decent shop offers.
My first set (12 arrows) are from 6 Bearpaw Penthalon 350 shafts, weighting 292gn with 100gn point.
The draw weight can be turned down to 2 full turns of the limb screw, to 110lbs, i.e. about 5lbs per quarter turn.
The limb bolt assembly is basically the same as with modern vertical compounds.
I didn't try hat yet, my only action in that regard was to mark the reference limb bolt positions.
(Limb screw assembly, top view)
As aside note, I watched a Siege review on a Russian channel some while ago.
I didn't undertand everything, but it seems there are legal issues in Russia.
To my understanding, above a draw weight / KE limit, a licence is required.
Perhaps someone can confirm that ?
Anyway, as a result, the Russian Cobra Siege is shipped with weaker limbs installed, the 150lbs limbs enclosed in package, but extra. And the presenter swapped the limbs in a few minutes on camera, without any bow press.
Meaning, limbs can easily be removed and replaced by turning the limb bolts out.
Strings and cables get slack after about 3 turns and can easily be replaced that way as well.
Which seems a practical feature - the less special tools one needs the better.
As a summary, I'm answering myself three questions.
First, was it what I expected ?
Yes and no. It is bigger and heavier than it appears in in pictures and videos, and I expected the cocking to be easier.
The build quality, performance and looks are fine, though.
Second, what is it good for ?
At least the same as the Cobra R9/RX, backyard plinking and target shooting.
The effective range is now extended to about 50..60 yards, no doubt one can shoot decent groups up to 50 yards.
The KE values would suggest it for hunting, and one can surely kill smaller deer species without trouble.
But one can get significantly lighter crossbows with much more punch. As said, hunting seems not a major target
market for this crossbow.
Would I recommend it ?
If one is fine with it's features and limitations, yes.
And Poe Lang being one of the two large manufacturers for lower and mid-level crossbows for years now,
I don't expect unusual quality issues.
As a final side note, I see this crossbow targeted mainly at the European market, including Eastern Europe and Russia.
I have seen quite a lot Russian YT videos featuring this crossbow, about as much as other languages combined.
Not sure if it is or will be available in North America, both because of supply chain and target market issues.
And not to mention, the slingshot channel guy is already about to design an Adder-like upgrade for this crossbow ...
